Lake Louise Camping Hiking Lake O'Hara July 24, 2018

July 24, 2018 has much more meaning than just July 24, 2018.  I was fortunate to get a spot on the bus up to Lake O'Hara for this day.  I had mixed emotions about venturing into here today but wise words from my sister let me know that it was OK to go here today and that I should go ahead with the plan.  It has been reaffirmed that you never know what you will be handed in life so you should make the most of each day as you face it.  I made sure to appreciate every single second I was at Lake O'Hara today. 

My bus was half full, the Warden said the quota for the day had been reached.  I gave up trying to figure out their game plan in how all this works.  I was on the bus and heading up to this precious place and so very thankful for that.  I was off the bus quickly and on my way quickly wanting to capture a first photo.

This was the view as I circumnavigated Lake O'Hara.  

Shortly along the shoreline I came to the sign saying to the left and uphill to get to Wiwaxy Gap.  Once again it was hot.  It was a slow go up.  I find I always hike slower anyway when I am at the Lake O'Hara area.  I don't cover much ground very quicky.  This is the spot everyone goes out onto.  This is as far to the edge as I was comfortable to go.  That's Lake O'Hara for below.

Now that's Lake O'Hara far below!

The alpine route is marked with a blue square and two yellow lines in it.  

It means for experienced hikers and there are some scrambly spots and mild exposure.  

I arrived at Wiwaxy Gap and stayed for a visit.  That is Lake Oesa below me.  I shared the Gap with a  few others, one was a Parks Employee for the summer with hopes after graduation she will get hired on full time.   We dined together and then headed off towards the Huber Ledges at the same time.  As it turned out, all the others came along too.  The route was a bit sketchy in spots so she stayed back to make sure everyone got over those areas OK.

I see 7 lakes!

Do you?

I numbered them here.  There are many more lakes in the area but they are behind the mountains or down in other valleys, or around hidden corners.

Embracing today!

The Huber Ledges were fun to route find and scramble down.  I kept looking back up to where I was and to see the others coming down behind me.  They are on the ledge there but are tiny dots.

That's Lake Oesa peaking out from hehind the boulder and Lefroy at bottom right.

I spent a few minutes at Oesa and then it began to sprinkle.  The sprinkles were off and on for the next couple of hours.  I worked my way off the Huber Ledges, down to Oesa and then off towards the waterfalls and to where I could see Lake O'Hara again.

Look up, way up, that's where I was quite awhile back.

I arrived back down at the shoreline of Lake O'Hara.   

I still had some time to wait for the 4:30 bus.  I had no energy left to carry on hiking so went to the waiting area and plunked myself down.  This was my view as I waited for the yellow school bus.  I was so tired I had a hard time keeping my eyes open.  My sister was on my mind and I just wanted to get to Lake Louise Village to get a connection and update.  Then I just wanted to get back to my campsite and hang out.

When it was near time to get on the bus, I met one of my blog followers.  Sonja or Sonia (not sure of the spelling) it was nice to meet you.  I hope your day here was enjoyable amd memorable.  Thank you coming over to speak to me.  I enjoy meeting people like you that follow my blog, it's my motivation to keep going with it.

Everyone was leaving the parking lot at the same time probably too just wanting to get home.  Wouldn't you know it, a train was poking along the track.  The wait was only about 10 minutes but seemed like eternity.

I got to the village and got an update on my sister then got to my home away from home then ignited a fire.  I bonked by the fire!  Looking at this photo, I think I have my shirt on upside down, not backwards or inside out, but upside down.

This was a big day in many ways.  I am grateful for lots of things in life and paid extra attention to that today.   I was comfy and cozy in my sleeping bag in my tent on the early side this evening and once again, slept through the night.    Time to head back to the city for a few days before I'm....

"....on the road again!  Just can't wait to get on the road again!